Optical solitons in graded-index multimode fiber

TL;DR

This paper reports the observation of optical solitons in graded-index multimode fibers, revealing their potential for high data rate telecommunications, space-division multiplexing, and high-power laser applications.

Contribution

It presents the first observation of optical solitons and soliton self-frequency shifting in graded-index multimode fibers, expanding understanding of wave propagation in multi-mode optical systems.

Findings

Observation of optical solitons in graded-index multimode fibers

Soliton self-frequency shifting demonstrated in these fibers

Potential applications in telecommunications and high-power lasers

Abstract

Solitons are non-dispersing localized waves that occur in diverse physical settings. A variety of optical solitons have been observed, but versions that involve both spatial and temporal degrees of freedom are rare. Optical fibers designed to support multiple transverse modes offer opportunities to study wave propagation in a setting that is intermediate between single-mode fiber and free-space propagation. Here we report the observation of optical solitons and soliton self-frequency shifting in graded-index multimode fiber. These wave packets can be modeled as multi-component solitons, or as solitons of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. Solitons in graded-index fibers should enable increased data rates in low-cost telecommunications systems, are pertinent to space-division multiplexing, and can offer a new route to mode-area scaling for high-power lasers and transmission.